“I am accepting this position with all humility”-Ram Nath Kovind

Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday took oath as India’s 14th President. The former Governor of Bihar, nominated by the BJP-led NDA, won the presidential election last week receiving over 7 lakh votes in the Electoral College and defeating Opposition candidate Meira Kumar. Kovind is the country’s second Dalit President after KR Narayanan. Before becoming the Governor of Bihar, he served as a BJP MP in the Rajya Sabha and headed the party’s SC-ST wing for a while.

“I am accepting this position with all humility,’ said President Kovind in first speech after being sworn in.

Kovind is the country’s 14th President and only the second Dalit to hold the office. The swearing-in ceremony took place in Parliament.

Kovind was sworn in by JS Khehar, Chief Justice of India. He took the oath in Hindi. Right after he was sworn in outgoing President Mukherjee shook hands with President Kovind.

“I am accepting this position with all humility and I am grateful for this responsibility,” President Kovind said in a speech after being sworn in.

“I feel privileged to walk on the same path as Dr. Radhakrishnan, Dr. Abdul Kalam and Pranab da,” the new President added.